# C_2007181EN.01002601.xml

| 3.8.2007 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 181/26 |
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3.8.2007

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 181/26

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Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.4829 — Umicore/Norsk Hydro/Hycore JV)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2007/C 181/09)

| 1. | On 26 July 2007, the Commission received the notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) (the Merger Regulation), by which the undertakings Umicore (‘Umicore’, Belgium) and Norsk Hydro (‘Norsk Hydro’, Norway) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Hycore ANS (‘Hycore’, Norway) by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture. |
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1.

On 26 July 2007, the Commission received the notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) (the Merger Regulation), by which the undertakings Umicore (‘Umicore’, Belgium) and Norsk Hydro (‘Norsk Hydro’, Norway) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation joint control of the undertaking Hycore ANS (‘Hycore’, Norway) by way of purchase of shares in a newly created company constituting a joint venture.

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| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:






  — | for Umicore: advanced materials, precious metal products and catalysts, precious metal services and zinc specialties, |
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2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

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for Umicore: advanced materials, precious metal products and catalysts, precious metal services and zinc specialties,

| — | for Norsk Hydro: development, production and supply of aluminium, oil, gas, hydropower and alternative energy sources, |
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for Norsk Hydro: development, production and supply of aluminium, oil, gas, hydropower and alternative energy sources,

| — | for Hycore: development, manufacturing and marketing of solar grade silicon for photovoltaic applications. |
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for Hycore: development, manufacturing and marketing of solar grade silicon for photovoltaic applications.

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
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3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

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| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4829 — Umicore/Norsk Hydro/Hycore JV to the following address:





  European Commission |
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| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| J-70 |
| B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax ((32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.4829 — Umicore/Norsk Hydro/Hycore JV to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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(2)  OJ C 56, 5.3.2005, p. 32.

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